2024-25 NBA Thread

[Uncle Rico]

This was a couple days ago when the Bucks had a bit of travel issues, but just awesome stuff from Giannis

https://x.com/redapples/status/1882806420040814608?s=46

Amazing that despite being insanely successful, insanely wealthy, and having some deserved NBA diva characteristics pop up from here and there, that background from nothing still plays strong in who he is

I've always hated him because he represents the organization and Bucks so well.  And the title he won.  Ruined our chance to rid ourselves here in Milwaukee of the NBA

[tower912]

Shut up and be grateful and have perspective.

[JWags85]

I don't know what his future holds or if he finishes in Milwaukee, but what a joy he is.

I have a hunch that he doesn't finish his career here.  I don't necessarily think he runs to the Lakers or the Heat, but I think he wants to chase another ring once the window closes in Milwaukee shortly (also wouldn't be surprised to see him do a victory tour for a season or two at Panathinaikos in his late 30s.

But if and when he does, there better be not a single ounce of bitterness or angst amongst the fanbase.  There will be, but he's already shown his loyalty when many others wouldn't have and brought a long awaited ring while being the best to ever put on the Bucks uniform (yes Kareem has a better overall career, but Giannis' Bucks accomplishments and career>>>Kareem's Bucks career, though its close.  If not for Jokic, Giannis probably has a 3rd MVP and its a no brainer).  He'll get a statue but he should have bulletproof adoration.

[Uncle Rico]

I have a hunch that he doesn't finish his career here.  I don't necessarily think he runs to the Lakers or the Heat, but I think he wants to chase another ring once the window closes in Milwaukee shortly (also wouldn't be surprised to see him do a victory tour for a season or two at Panathinaikos in his late 30s.

But if and when he does, there better be not a single ounce of bitterness or angst amongst the fanbase.  There will be, but he's already shown his loyalty when many others wouldn't have and brought a long awaited ring while being the best to ever put on the Bucks uniform (yes Kareem has a better overall career, but Giannis' Bucks accomplishments and career>>>Kareem's Bucks career, though its close.  If not for Jokic, Giannis probably has a 3rd MVP and its a no brainer).  He'll get a statue but he should have bulletproof adoration.

You'd think

[Billy Hoyle]

it's nice to see that people are starting to realize Jimmy Butler is the problem, not the teams he's played for. My wife and I went to a Minnesota road game to see Jimmy play and instead we watched him taunting his teammates while sitting behind the bench.

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/43587920/jimmy-butler-line-dysfunction-infamous-practices-six-all-star-games

[Jockey]

it's nice to see that people are starting to realize Jimmy Butler is the problem, not the teams he's played for. My wife and I went to a Minnesota road game to see Jimmy play and instead we watched him taunting his teammates while sitting behind the bench.

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/43587920/jimmy-butler-line-dysfunction-infamous-practices-six-all-star-games

This "people" has been saying it for years. He is a selfish cancer. Full stop.

And make no mistake - he would be universally hated here on Scoop if he hadn't played for MU.

[Uncle Rico]

This "people" has been saying it for years. He is a selfish cancer. Full stop.

And make no mistake - he would be universally hated here on Scoop if he hadn't played for MU.

Well, he may have had sex with Rachel Nichols during the bubble, so for some, that outweighs all else

[Skatastrophy]

Giannis is soft, could use Jimmy to give him an edge.

[GB Warrior]

it's nice to see that people are starting to realize Jimmy Butler is the problem, not the teams he's played for. My wife and I went to a Minnesota road game to see Jimmy play and instead we watched him taunting his teammates while sitting behind the bench.

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/43587920/jimmy-butler-line-dysfunction-infamous-practices-six-all-star-games

Will change my tune if he rejoins the Marquette community because that's convenient to me

[wadesworld]

Giannis is soft, could use Jimmy to give him an edge.

I appreciate the Heat troll attempts.

[JWags85]

And make no mistake - he would be universally hated here on Scoop if he hadn't played for MU.

No he wouldn't, don't be dramatic.  He's nowhere near close to universally hated in the NBA writ large and wouldn't be high on the list of disliked players like Dillon Brooks or Draymond.  Its been 7 years since he was a "cancer" who forced himself out of Minnesota and in that time he had no issues in Philly and was a star who elevated the Heat well beyond themselves.  He's polarizing but plenty of people like him, from fans to those affiliated with the league (see Windhorst's fair assessment of the situation today).  You don't care for him, you've been vocal about it, and that's fine.  But its not some codified truth

[cheebs09]

No he wouldn't, don't be dramatic.  He's nowhere near close to universally hated in the NBA writ large and wouldn't be high on the list of disliked players like Dillon Brooks or Draymond.  Its been 7 years since he was a "cancer" who forced himself out of Minnesota and in that time he had no issues in Philly and was a star who elevated the Heat well beyond themselves.  He's polarizing but plenty of people like him, from fans to those affiliated with the league (see Windhorst's fair assessment of the situation today).  You don't care for him, you've been vocal about it, and that's fine.  But its not some codified truth

Agreed. I feel he'd be viewed similar to Harden. People roll their eyes at some of this stuff he does, and may not think he's a winning player, but hate would be too strong.

[Jockey]

I still disagree. He is a symbol of what is wrong with the NBA.

Forced his way out of Chicago. Forced his way out of Minny. Forced his way out of Philly. Forcing his way out of Miami.

Jimmy is a me, me, me guy.

[JWags85]

I still disagree. He is a symbol of what is wrong with the NBA.

Forced his way out of Chicago. Forced his way out of Minny. Forced his way out of Philly. Forcing his way out of Miami.

Jimmy is a me, me, me guy.

He didn't force his way out of Philly.  He actually got along better with Embiid that any other top players had.  The Sixers didn't want to pay him and wanted to pay Harris, so they moved him.  Its pretty widely accepted that the Sixers FO messed up and screwed up choosing Harris over Butler.  It had nothing to do with him demanding out or being a cancer in Philly.  His situation and departure from Philly is not in any way analogous to leaving Chicago or Minnesota.

[Pakuni]

He didn't force his way out of Philly.  He actually got along better with Embiid that any other top players had.  The Sixers didn't want to pay him and wanted to pay Harris, so they moved him.  Its pretty widely accepted that the Sixers FO messed up and screwed up choosing Harris over Butler.  It had nothing to do with him demanding out or being a cancer in Philly.  His situation and departure from Philly is not in any way analogous to leaving Chicago or Minnesota.

Yeah, and I also wouldn't characterize Jimmy's departure from the Bulls as forcing his way out. The Bulls needed to tear it down and start over after the Rondo-Wade-Butler trifecta didn't work, and they saw trading Jimmy for young pieces as the best way to do that.

[WhiteTrash]

Yeah, and I also wouldn't characterize Jimmy's departure from the Bulls as forcing his way out. The Bulls needed to tear it down and start over after the Rondo-Wade-Butler trifecta didn't work, and they saw trading Jimmy for young pieces as the best way to do that.

That's my memory of the Bulls trade also.

[Pakuni]

That's my memory of the Bulls trade also.

And that's not to say Jimmy didn't have issues with some teammates and Hoiberg. But the Bulls front office, in their eternal wisdom, wanted him gone - and didn't want to give him a supermax deal - more than he wanted to leave.

[GB Warrior]

I'm so exhausted with this trade that hasn't even happened yet. Heat should be glad Pat Riley has more resolve than I do to weather it

[Shaka Shart]

And that's not to say Jimmy didn't have issues with some teammates and Hoiberg. But the Bulls front office, in their eternal wisdom, wanted him gone - and didn't want to give him a supermax deal - more than he wanted to leave.

The prior Bulls front office would never have personnel issues. Don't interfere with Jockey's hyperbole please

[Uncle Rico]

The prior Bulls front office would never have personnel issues. Don't interfere with Jockey's hyperbole please

Jimmy is the problem

[Skatastrophy]

Imagine if you were locked into a multi-year contract in your job. Hated your boss and coworkers. Asking them to change for years. Asking to be released. Asking to be traded. Just get me out of here we're obviously done with each other. Nothing, no movement.

With a camera in my face every day, my antics would be historic.

[Jockey]

I guess quitters are revered more than I thought.

#bigC

[Pakuni]

I guess quitters are revered more than I thought.

#bigC

Homeless kid turns himself into a decent JUCO player turns himself into a good college player turns himself into NBA's Most Improved Player turns himself into 6-time NBA All-Star turns himself into successful business owner ... all pretty much through hard work and sheer force of will.

Definitely sounds like a quitter.

[Jockey]

Homeless kid turns himself into a decent JUCO player turns himself into a good college player turns himself into NBA's Most Improved Player turns himself into 6-time NBA All-Star turns himself into successful business owner ... all pretty much through hard work and sheer force of will.

Definitely sounds like a quitter.

Quit in Chicago because he didn't like contract or coach.

Quit in Minny cuz he didn't like teammates.

Quit in Philly cuz he didn't like contract.

Quit in Miami cuz, well, cuz he's a quitter.


He will be perfect on an utterly dysfunctional Suns team. And I'm sure he'll give it at least a year before his inner quitter re-emerges.

[The Sultan]

Quit in Chicago because he didn't like contract or coach.

Quit in Minny cuz he didn't like teammates.

Quit in Philly cuz he didn't like contract.

Quit in Miami cuz, well, cuz he's a quitter.

Butler did not "quit" in Chicago or Philly, and arguably didn't in Minnesota either - he requested a trade and started the season with them before being traded to Philly.

You don't have to like the guy, and I think everyone agrees that he has handled business in Miami incredibly poorly, but exaggerating his past to make your point makes you look foolish.